“There are times on film when (linebackers coach Kevin Kane) writes down ‘Ken Bishop’ instead of grading us out,” Santacaterina said. “He makes a lot of unbelievable plays.”

NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp made 27 tackles in his first All-Pro season. The Lions Ndamukong Suh, a leading candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has 19 tackles this season.

Ken Bishop has 44.

The senior from Lauderhill, Fla., was the Mid-American Conference defensive player of the week when he had nine tackles and an interception against Massachusetts last week and also when he had eight tackles and a fumble recovery in Week 2 at Idaho.

But even when he isn’t being honored, he’s being noticed by rival coaches.

“I don’t think there’s a better defensive player in the league than No. 93,” Akron coach Terry Bowden said after Bishop had six tackles in NIU’s 27-20 Week 6 win. “He’s the best. He’s a difference maker. He’s got incredible strength and explosion.”

Bishop was the only returning starter on the Huskies’ defensive line. His play has been a huge reason NIU (9-0, 5-0 MAC West) has risen to No. 18 in the BCS standings and No. 22 in the Associated Press poll.

“He’s been vital in everything that we do,” coach Rod Carey said. “When you have a player like that, how can you not say that they are vital?

“His first step is really quick. He uses his post hand really well, and then when he gets his other hand in there, he can shed a block extremely quick. He has good hips so his body can torque, so when he’s shedding a block his feet can be going one way and his upper body can be going another.”

It also helps that Bishop doesn’t see any limitations to playing in the middle of the front line.

“I don’t think of it as I’m a D-tackle, I shouldn’t get this tackle,” Bishop said. “I think of it as I want to get up field and try to make the play.”

Bishop expected things to be harder this year, but he also expected more out of himself. He has delivered.

“Last year, I was kind of an unknown,” Bishop said. “A lot of the plays I made, it was because guys weren’t prepared for me. Now, they’ve seen me on film and focus on me. But that gives other guys opportunities to make plays, so I don’t mind.”

Bishop and all the Huskies will need to make plays more than ever Wednesday when Ball State (9-1, 6-0) comes to Huskie Stadium in a showdown for the MAC West title. Ball State is second to NIU in the MAC in both total offense and scoring and quarterback Keith Wenning is second in the nation in passing (3,164 yards).

Bishop said “they are very aggressive” and “they attack expeditiously.”